Digital fare meters in all taxis before next tourist season

17 May 201805:14am IST

17 May 201805:14am IST

Team Herald

PANJIM: Transport Department will ensure that all tourist taxis are fitted with digital fare meters and global positioning systems before the coming tourist season.

Transport Director Nikhil Desai said it is an endeavour of the department to install digital fare meters in all tourist taxis before the start of the coming tourist season. “Today we had meeting with the taxi union where it is conveyed to them that as per High Court order we have to install digital fare meters to tourist taxis within the fixed timeframe,” he said.

Desai said that taxi operators were opposing installation of meters and speed governors. “We informed them that digital fare meters have to be installed and the speed governors’ matter is pending before the Supreme Court and we cannot assure anything at this point of time,” Desai said.

He said the department is aware of illegal operation of private vehicles and in a drive almost 50 vehicles have been seized.

Desai said that bids for digital fare meters are expected to be opened by next month and the suppliers will be finalised after that. He said that meters are currently being tested and reports are expected by the end of the month.